Garden tractor



1953 J. J. KANTZ, JR., ETAL 2,657,621

GARDEN TRACTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 & mi W T E m E M Vm E N m a n; T K J. a. T J m A Ja 1953 J. J. KANTZ, JR., ETAL 2,657,621

' GARDEN TRACTOR Filed Dec. 7, 1948 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOHN J. K4N7'Z,JR. & y OSWALD J. LIA/DELL ATTORNEYS.

actual and the sprocket 32, turns the cross-arm 34 right or left as desired, and with it also the entire traction wheel assembly under the front end of the seat-carrying frame. Thus, a dual steering control is provided, both front and rear end having control means usable together or independently, as circumstances make desirable. To guide and support the sprocket chain 33 on turning movement, a support are 38 is also secured to the ends of the cross-arm 34, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

With the tool-carrying frame l2 and the seatcarrying frame 14 thus in assembly, the toolcarrying frame 12 is adapted for relative movement up and down, to set the soil-working tool into the ground at depth as desired or to carry the tool clear of the ground. For this, a link 38 pivoted at 39 to one end of the tool-carrying frame I2 is pivoted at 46 in turn to a lever arm 4! fixed to the end of a shaft 42. The shaft 42 is carried in a bearing sleeve or tube 33 secured on the frame member 14, and at its outer end is a hand lever 64 which controls the tool-frame lifting system. This hand lever, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, has a spring-returned detent 45 which may engage in recesses in the arc d5. By pressing upwardly on the detent 45, against the handle of the lever 34, the detent is raised free of the recesses of the are 36 and the lever :"i l may then be set at any point of the are desired. A cutter disk G1 may generally be carried with the plow assembly on the tool-carrying frame. It is understood, of course, that, as usual in tractor application, various tools may be substituted, including shovel cultivators, weed cutters, etc.

In Fig. 4, again the paired wheels 2 and frame and power plant 3 have a seat-carrying frame R attached. Here, again, the tool-carrying frame i2 is rigid with the power supporting frame. A disk cultivator d is here illustrated as the tool. The framing ii is here also rigid with the front end connection of the tool-carrying frame i2, but the rear end of the framing IE is hinged to a plate .9 secured to the top of the Wheel-stirrup. An upstanding post it is also secured to the plate s, and on the top of this post is pivotally connected the seat stem t. A hand lever d4 connects by a link 23 to the same pivot point at the top of the post it to which the seat stem is pivoted. Thereby, on manipulation of the hand lever at, the tool-carrying frame I2 and the framing iii are both raised, thereby lifting the disk or other tool from the ground, this movement being possible by virtue of the hinged joint between the framing l4 and the plate s. The wheel frame is, of course, also tilted correspondingly at the same time.

As seen, the two-wheeled traction unit 2, 3 is the power unit in Figs. 1, 2 and 42. This is characterized by an axis center, the wheel axis, about which some movement in arc of rotation up and down is permitted. In Fig. 1, with use of the tractor portion as a walking outfit, the operator by the handles 6 can swing the structure up and down about the wheel axis center and raise the soil-working tool or depress it. Fig. 4 shows graphically how, with a riding attachment the operator sitting in the seat or seat-port r can by the lever 44' swing the tractor portion up and down about the Wheel axis center, and the toolcarrying arm 52 as a radius is correspondingly moved, and the tool carried thereby.

The manner of use of the device will be clear from the foregoing. With the equipment as a walking outfit as in Fig. 1, the operator walks behind the device as it is propelled along on its traction Wheels 2, and the operator guides by the handles 6, and controls the engine by the throttle lever i. On unbolting and taking off the handles and. Whatever earth-working tool is bolted on frame 4, and attaching the riding frame R by setting its forward sleeve iii in place on the post 3, the operator sitting in the seat It controls the engine by the throttle lever E which is conveniently carried on the steering column, and the clutch lever 5i] likewise is in convenient reach. By manipulation of the detent it and the toolcontrol lever Mi, the plow or other tool can be set in the soil or be elevated thereabove, as desired. The front end steering is carried on by the steering Wheel 30. Ordinarily, the operator, with his feet on the rests 21 of the lever 25, simply eifortlessly holds the trail wheel 2| normally in alignment as it trails along. Thus, with a setting as in a, Fig. 5, the trail wheel 2! is centered between the front wheels 2. Where such positioning is not feasible on account of row crops, the operator may simply move the foot control lever to throw the trail wheel to the left-hand position b or to the right-hand position 0, Fig. 5. In any position, because of the leverage, the maintaining of the desired alignment requires little effort on the part of the operator.

When it is desired to use the tractor as a walking outfit, the riding frame is disengaged by lifting its forward sleeve H3 off of the tractor frame post 8, and bolting the handles and whatever tool is desired onto the frame 4.

It is noticed that by reason of the peculiar mounting of the tool-carrying frame with respect to the wheel axis, i. e. both centered to a common axis, two moment levers in effect exert their action about the wheel axis, viz., the moment lever of the traction wheels thrusting its torque in one direction, and the moment lever of the tool-carrying frame thrusting its torque in the opposite direction. Thereby, because of this peculiar mount relation involving center axis between tool and power, when the tool control lever 44 is released to lower the plow or other tool to the ground, the torque effect draws the plow into the soil to equilibrium depth and saves the operator the necessity of using his muscle energy for forcing the plow to the requisite soil depth. Again, with the tractor in operation, the torquereaction holds the tool in the ground effectively and at the same time occasions a particularly firm grip on the ground by the traction wheels. It is thus found that a motor of smaller power than customarily rated necessary for a device of this size drives the tractor efficiently on various types of soil and contours.

Where a considerable amount of plowing or a considerable amount of cultivating is to be done at a time, it is advantageous to make the setting of the trail wheel automatic instead of requiring any attention by the driver. For this, when the driver lowers the plow or cultivator tool into the ground, the trail wheel is automatically steered into the proper track. Thus, referring .to Fig. 3, projecting forwardly is an arm 58 integral with or secured to the foot-lever 25, and on its end is a freely rotatable roller or ball 5% which rides within the cam cage 59 secured to the tool-carrying frame l2. When the tool-carrying frame is raised by the hand lever 44 to hold the plow or other tool above the ground, the cam cage Bil is in its upper position and the arm 58 can move freely through a wide are between the sides savages:

:But whenlthe driven setsnthenplowbn otherstool down into. -the ground :by the .handlever-M, ;it.;is seen that. the cage .60 carried .down.with .the tool :frame l2 has its converging. upper: end brought down about the roller end 59 .of the arm 5.8-,athereby cammingthearm: andthemearwardilinl: 23ito v -steerthe trail wheel-into its-predetermined track without attention by the driver. -With particu- .lar, advantage; the arm- 5trmaybe secunedato :the (lever): 25:. by; screw-thread.:c'onnection. iThereby,

the-yarn); cans-be. easily rumbaok.o-rishortenedxso .that'its end I59 isclearof the camzcageafifl'andeis mot controlled: by it. Completehand controlmay --.thus bev had. when suchlisg'desired: instead Ofiauto- .maticrcontrolfor the .trailvwheel. tracking. tc By .providingthe rearend of the'linkl 23zwitn aiseries .=of.zh0les,. the bolt pivotallynconnecting 'itlito .the stirrup. lever. 22 can-be setainzthe appropriate; hole :for the proper length vfor either centehonlateral tracking of the trail wheel.

The tool-control lever 44 by its spring-returned 25 detent 45 coaotingtwith :the recessaa in.zthe. armor quadrant 36 as shown in Fig. 2 permits the-pp- .eratorto set the plowq-or other. .tool;at.;depth as desired; by selection. of the. recess. engaged. [n

rar'ableridingztrailergincludingan auxiliary'fram shavingsa: tubular: collamtozpivotallyz :set I on .said r post zlongitudinal membersvrigidvwithi :said: collar tandzzextending rearwardlygan eartheworkingctool rcarriedbysaidonembers, otherzlongitudinalsmem- 'bersz pivoted toztsaid-r collanforr relativezvertical movements butrfrigid .against lateral? :movement melative to theafirstz-namedrmembera. ahand-glever iomsaidsntheii.dongitudinaltmembers; .and 1 a link connected to said tool-carrying members;:1a: seat .zornsaide otherralongitudinali memb.ers:=pi-votedxfor .limite turning: movement; aissteeringr. wheel; and :tcolnmnzmountedron the samezlongitudinalamem- -bers:".:iniiront hfz tsaid sseat, t a sprocket on the :isteeringncolumn; a chain engaging said; sprocket, a'zcross. armfastened to :the: aforesaidi ost; 1 said .zchairrxeonneotingiatneachzendl to: the respective .endscnfoc'saidrmross? arm; ant-.arcuate chaimrest bowed nearwardlm between Ethe. ends oi-saidcross arm; a; .foot; steeringlevers pivotal-1y: carried-1- by v.saidrotherilongitudinalmembers,. a trailing wheel 2-irr-.a.; swivel; stirrup'aunder the :rear end 'ot said anther longitudinal members; and; a; link connect- .t'ing: .ioetweenxsaidf-zfont steering lever: and; said :swh/tel:stirruuiorsasteering independentlycnf the :.:fr:ont. wheel-"steering.

z 251magriculturalzmaohinery having. a;.:pair:.0f anti-actionzwheelsgjraming supported :therebetween, apowersourceron the frammg.:controliablyoonysomecases; ;it;is preferred .to further. simplifyithe .sneotable toxs'aid .1traction.wwheels,- and-ta": post: :on

requirement .on the-operator, and asshownin the slightlyrxmodified; detail. construction Pin; Fig; 311, l the arc. Z36; insteadofihaving. a series of recesses :for .-.-the detent, I for; instance; is; tappedti'withz; a

izsaid framinginormalato 'rthezaxis: ofathe wheels, a separable riding. trailer-,tincluding, an. auxiliary frame having aitnbul'ar-.collar;totpivotally setron 1. said: post, longitudinal members irig'id .with said sseriesgof boltyholes to selectively-receive" square- -col l'aniandrextenlling 'rearwardlyean:'earth worlz- ;head set. screwsaas. 48and 4.9;againstiwhichithe detent .45 may engage. .Theseare preset'to "meet the local conditions. :Thusawith theid'etentba'ck .of. the set-screw; 148- as jshownrin 3a, .athenconcingatoolacarried by saidzzmembers," other'longi- .tudinal:-"merhbers pivoted:tolsaid. collar :for relative verticalxmovement: but irigid; against lateral movement relative to :the first-named:members, a

.rtrollholdsthe plow or othertool above theground. 40 rhand :l'even :onzsaid: other, longitudinaltmembers,

But on releasing the detent and movingthelever PM :forward, the tool. is lowerediuntilz the. detent engages the stop set-screw 49. .It-can also'be moved beyond that pre-set .depth-i-When desired,

l and: alink connected to'isaid toot-carrying members; aseaton said longitudinalmembers, a steeringwheel;.arid;rcolumn:mountedion the same lonsgit-udinal :memhers :front of said seat, a

by simplyrholdingv outthedetent tmpasstthestop procket on the steering; column,.a chain :engag- .49. -Where-toolsare securedwtohztheuframe 4:in front of. the wheels 2.: instead. :of lbiehind, tit is :seenthat-likewisethe lever 44 controlsithe raising and lowering of the tool relativeato ithe; ground,

--ingi;saidssprocket,s:.a cross arm'fastened to; the zaforesaid: post, said1 chain oonnectingat each end "-to'afthex respective :ierlds this said. cross arm, an 1 arcuatetohairrrestz bowed rearwardly between the as again there is the tilting oitheframe on the r :aendsrofisaidicrossarm;a. foot'steering lever pivwheel axis as center.

vin instances where! desired, the drivers seat may be suificiently loose or pivoted on its holding bolt-v54mallowmoving through a small are "such ntallycnarriedsby: said other longitudinalimembers, a trailingiwheeldna swivel'stirrup under ntheimear :endzrof: said o'th'er longitudinal members, 1 and; as link *-.-'connecting between said 'fo'ot steerthat the driver-mayzalways: automatically adjust sing;deveraandasaid iz swivel. stirrup for* steering himself to face straight ahead when the trail wheelis in any of its alignments; and turning of the seat-beyond'the'necessary arc may. besprerVentedby' anysuitablemeansgfior examplea zindependentlysbfi'the::front *Wheel steering.

l:Inz agriculturalz'machinery having a pairi'of .flara'ction wheels; framing'supported therebetween, anpowerzzsourcestomthe framing connectable. to

simple step 55proje'cting from the seat-belowlatrem l ra d a-post O S- d framin each sidespaced'to be limited'in movement-swing against theside of 'thehorizontal portion .Ofseat *support'bracket '5 6, Fig; 2 andFig"; 2a.

Other modes of applyingthe. principle or; the

-normal-gtoxzthe:axisnof the whee1s,;a separable znriding :.trailer;rincluding an: auxiliary -frame ha-vning a.:tubulan collar-to pivotally? connect to :said p'ost; longitudinal-:- members rigid with said-col- "invention maybeemployed; change bein made. asses in -x re rw r yt an earth-work- -regardsthe detail described; provided theifeatures stated inanyof the-following"c1aims,=orthe 1 equivalent of-such;be employed.

'FWeLlthereforeparticularly-point out-'and discetinctly claim as ourvinvention:

1. In agricultural machinery-having a pair of traction wheels, framing supported therebetween, a power source on theframing controllablyconsnectableto saidtraction wheels; and a p'oston said s ing 512001.. carried-:by. said-xmem'bers, other 101181- tudinal members pivoted to said collar :for relative vertical movement but rigidagainstlateral [movement relative to :the first-named members,

5 a. hand lever 'on :saidother longitudinal members eandza-link'connected-to saidtool-carrying members; a seat on' said other longitudinal members, uaesteering :wheeland column mounted-.on the asame-r'longitudinal, members; in frontiof-said; seat,

iifram'ing normal to.the..axis:of the wh'els,= a' sepi aisprook'etaoirrthe. steering column; a: ehainszem gaging said sprocket, a cross arm fastened to the aforesaid post, said chain connecting at each end to the respective ends of said cross arm, a foot steering lever pivotally carried by said other longitudinal members, a trailing wheel in a swivel stirrup under the rear end of said other longitudinal members, and a link connecting between said foot steering lever and said swivel stirrup for steering independently of the front wheel steering.

4. In agricultural machinery having a pair of traction wheels, framing supported therebetween, a power source on the framing connectable to said traction wheels, and a post on said framing normal to the axis of the wheels, a separable riding trailer, including an auxiliary frame having a tubular collar to pivotally set on said post, longitudinal members rigid with said collar and extending rearwardly, an earth-working tool carried by said members, other longitudinal members pivoted to said collar for relative vertical movement but rigid against lateral movement relative to the first-named members, a hand lever on said other longitudinal members and a link connected to said tool-carrying members, a seat on said other longitudinal members, means for steering said traction wheels, a trailing wheel in a swivel stirrup under the rear end of said other longitudinal members, a foot lever pivotally carried by said other longitudinal members, and a link connecting between said foot lever and said swivel-stirrup for steering independently of the front wheel steering.

5. In agricultural machinery having a pair of traction wheels, framing supported therebetween, and a power source on said framing for the traction wheels, a separable riding trailer, including an auxiliary frame having a pivotal connection to said framing for horizontal movement relative thereto, longitudinal members rigid with said connection and extending rearwardly, an earth-working tool carried by said members, other longitudinal members pivoted to said connection for relative vertical movement but rigid against lateral movement relative to the firstnamed members, a lever on said other longitudinal members for raising said tool-carrying members, a seat on said other longitudinal members, a trailing wheel under the rear end of said other longitudinal members, steering means for said traction wheels, and independent steering means for said trailing wheel.

6. In mechanism having a pair of traction wheels, framing supported therebetween, a power source on the framing, a post on said framing normal to the axis of the wheels, an auxiliary frame having a pivotal connection to said post for lateral movement relative to said framing, an eartlntool support connected to said framing rigidly in a vertical plane but allowing pivoting movement in a horiontal plane, said auxiliary frame including a seat-supporting frame generally parallel to said tool support and connected therewith in front preventing relative movement independent thereof in a horizontal plane but permitting relative movement in a vertical plane, and a trailing wheel under said seatsupporting frame.

7. In mechanism of the character described. a pair of tractor wheels, framing in association carrying a seat, a wheel with turnable mounting under the rear end of said framing, a foot lever for steering said wheel, a link between the foot lever and said wheel mounting, said link having a series of holes for adjustable connection to the.

said wheel mounting, an auxiliary frame under said framing carrying an earth-working tool, a hand lever on said framing for raising and lowering the auxiliary frame and tool, an arm secured to said foot lever, and a cam cage on said auxiliary frame surrounding the free end of said arm and having a convergent top, whereby said arm riding within said cam cage has freedom of lateral movement when the auxiliary frame carrying the tool is raised but is cammed into the convergent top when the auxiliary frame is lowered.

8. In mechanism of the character described, a pair of traction wheels, framing in association carrying a seat, a wheel with turnable mounting under the rear of said framing, a foot lever for steering said wheel, a link between the foot lever and said wheel mounting, an auxiliary frame under said framing carrying an earth-working tool, a hand lever on said framing for raising and lowering the auxiliary frame and tool, an arm secured to said foot lever, and a cam cage on said auxiliary frame surrounding the free end of said arm and having a convergent top for automatically orienting said arm and the steering of said wheel which is under the rear of said framing.

9. In mechanism of the character described, a pair of traction wheels, framing in association carrying a seat, a wheel with turnable mounting under the rear of said framing, a lever for steering said wheel, an auxiliary frame under said framing carrying an earth-working tool, a hand lever on said framing for raising and lowering the auxiliary frame and tool, and means operated in the-lowering of the auxiliary frame for automatically setting said wheel with its turnable mounting into a predetermined path.

10. In mechanism of the character described,

a framing and a pair of traction wheels, a seatcarrying frame connectible to said framing and. having a steerable trail wheel, a tool-carrying frame under said seat-carrying frame, a cam on said tool-carrying frame, a foot-lever on said seat-carrying frame for steering said trail wheel, and an arm on said foot-lever movable in efiective position for operation optionally out of relation with said cam for foot-steering of said trail wheel and in relation with said cam for automatic steering.

JOHN J. KANTZ, JR.

OSWALD J. LINDELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 918,386 Spensley Apr. 13, 1909 1,037,257 Hutchinson Sept. 3, 1912 1,346,317 Holstein July 13, 1920 1,376,756 Gallagher May 3, 1921 1,385,535 Frisby July 26, 1921 1,435,161 Holstein Nov. 14, 1922 1,441,232 Liedtke Jan. 9, 1923 1,458,013 Tampier June 5, 1923 1,590,810 Col-ding June 29, 1926 2,016,774 Gefiray Oct. 8, 1935 2,274,769 Zink et al. Mar. 3, 1942 2,358,539 Smith Sept. 19, 1944 2,457,821 Johnson Jan. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 893,187 France Jan. 24, 1944 424,647 Germany Jan. 27, 1946 

